A Gravel tour in Akamas

Embark on a much-anticipated gravel adventure, a dream ride for one of our passionate gravel enthusiasts. With the weather in Cyprus still delightful, making it the perfect time for a gravel expedition, planning and executing this tour became a breeze.

We commenced our journey from Peyia, parking conveniently next to the beautiful chapel of Agia Matrona. The ride kicked off immediately, fueled by our eagerness to explore off-road terrain. The breathtaking view of the sea under clear skies set the tone for an incredible journey. The terrain, mostly descending and flat until reaching the toxeftra beach, offered a relatively easy start.

As we ventured along the coast, the swift transition between the lush green forest on our right and the azure Mediterranean sea on the left made the ride truly enjoyable. Photo stops were frequent, given the consistently stunning scenery. Around 20km in, we began our ascent inland toward the Akamas Lighthouse, perched atop the westernmost hill of the island. The view from the lighthouse was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing the unique landscape where land meets sea.

The descent towards the renowned "Blue Lagoon" was thrilling but manageable, thanks to the gradual gradient. Despite the gathering clouds hindering a full appreciation of the lagoon's mesmerizing blue, the experience was unforgettable. Our ultimate destination was Arnaoutis Cape, the western tip of Cyprus. The rocky and rough terrain posed little challenge for our bikes equipped with 45mm wide tires.

A sense of accomplishment filled us as we stood at the land's end of our own country. Our next stop was Neo Chorio, where we were fortunate to find a local cafe open. Indulging in a delightful Halloumi cheese and ham sandwich, we savored the taste of local flavors.

The return journey to the starting point involved a long uphill stretch of approximately 12km, with manageable grades of 4-6% steepness. A challenging 1km section tested our fatigued legs, but the reward was the panoramic view from the forest heart to the hilltop, offering vistas of the Mediterranean sea on both sides of the peninsula.

As the weather changed and a chill set in, we pedaled faster to warm up, relishing the descents at high speed. The perfect culmination to an outstanding gravel ride was a fast descent, facing the hills of Akamas, and witnessing what is often hailed as the most incredible sunset in Cyprus.

Mike with Jeroen, Luca and Nestor!

CYPRUS THE PERFECT ALTERNATIVE TO MALLORCA AND THE CANARIES

“Cyprus stole my heart. Perfect roads, peace and quiet, excellent food, mountainous terrain, great weather, and friendly people make this a great location to train for a week – with or without your family! In my opinion, The Limassol region is an excellent base as you can cycle into the mountains but still be on the coast.”

Recently i had the chance to ride with Frank Jensen from Cycloworld.cc online cycling magazine that informs all world about new events, cycling races and cycling destinations.

With Frank we had a nice ride around Limassol region in quiet roads and great scenery, got some cyprus coffee and delights and of course a great chat on the bike about what Cyprus has to offer to cyclists as a cycling destination.

Frank also got the chance to ride our iconic event 0-2000 Cycling Challenge that takes place between Limassol and the Troodos mountains.

Read his full article in https://www.cycloworld.cc/article/cycling-in-cyprus/2647

DISCOVER CYPRUS ON GRAVEL BIKE: 2ND BEDROCK GRAVELFEST AWAITS YOU

Embark on an unparalleled off-road adventure in the heart of Cyprus at the 2nd Bedrock GravelFest, taking place from April 9 to April 15, 2023. Organized by Activate Cyprus, this week-long event promises a thrilling blend of gravel biking, stunning landscapes, and traditional Cypriot culture.

Gravel Biking Paradise

Cyprus, an undiscovered gravel wonderland, invites adventurous riders to explore its hidden gems. Activate Cyprus, with its intimate knowledge of the island, offers expert-guided rides that take you through remote, off-the-beaten-path gravel trails. Traverse the Troodos mountain range, revel in the lush green forests meeting the deep blue Mediterranean waters, and experience the untouched beauty of Cyprus.

A Week of Adventure and Culture

The Bedrock GravelFest is not just about biking; it's an immersive experience that blends great rides with local culture, gastronomy, and more. Enjoy rides that challenge and inspire, complemented by visits to local cheese farms, orchards laden with fresh fruits, and wine tastings. The adventure continues with early morning Yoga sessions, traditional skill workshops, and indulging in delicious Cypriot meals.

Culminating in the Bedrock Gravel Race

The week concludes with the exciting 51-mile Bedrock Gravel Race, followed by an Awards Ceremony and a vibrant Barbecue Party with Chef Avraamis. Beer tasting by Π?βο Microbreweries adds to the festivities, creating an unforgettable celebration of gravel riding.

Accommodation Packages in Tochni

The festival's headquarters is in Tochni, a tranquil village away from the crowds, offering a picturesque atmosphere. Participants stay in traditional stone-built houses scattered throughout the village, providing an authentic experience. Accommodation ranges from small studios to two-bedroom apartments, often featuring a courtyard and a shared pool.

All-Inclusive Packages for Riders and Non-Riders

Both cycling enthusiasts and non-riders can choose from packages that include 7 nights of accommodation with breakfast and dinners. Non-cycling friends and family members are welcome to join special sightseeing tours to the town of Limassol.

Why Cyprus?

With an average of 326 sunny days per year, Cyprus offers warm weather in April, ideal for cycling, sightseeing, and sunbathing. The 2,000m high Troodos Mountains boast beautiful forests and extensive road networks. Unlike other Mediterranean destinations, Cyprus remains a hidden gem for gravel cyclists, with empty roads waiting to be explored.

Don't miss the chance to be part of this extraordinary gravel adventure in Cyprus. For detailed information and bookings, visit [Bedrock GravelFest Cyprus](https://www.activatecyprus.com/gravelfest-cyprus).

GET TO KNOW CYPRUS ON A BIKE: CYPRUS SUNSHINE EPIC

For another year, Cyprus will host Olympians and world champions, as the Cyprus Sunshine Epic is considered one of the most important mountain biking events globally. The race will take place from February 27 to March 1 in the mountainous regions of Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca, providing participants with the opportunity to discover the natural beauty of the island.

The communities of Lythrodontas, Kornos, and Pyrgos are eagerly welcoming prominent figures in world cycling, including Jaroslav Kulhavy, Ondrej Cink, Kate Courtney, Annika Langvad, and many others. The race includes various sections, starting from the Pyrgos Primary School and concluding at the Kornos Community Stadium.

"We are proud to be part of such a significant race. Kornos has a history in cycling, having hosted races in the past and produced Antri Christoforou, who will represent Cyprus at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The Kornos Community Council actively supports all sports and gives young people in the community the opportunity to engage in them. We will do our best to host all Cyprus Sunshine Epic athletes, who will have the chance to explore the natural beauty of Kornos," says Mr. Michalis Savvas, Kornos Community Council President.

Lythrodontas has been supporting this important race for several years, offering hospitality to athletes and spectators. "We are pleased to welcome Olympians and world champions every year, and they, in turn, get to know Lythrodontas by cycling. It is our great joy to host such a significant race, and athletes and spectators will have the opportunity to explore the lush area of Pyrgos. The wonderful route through the pines will also pass through Stavrovouni, which falls within our community," says Mr. Lambros Loukas, Lythrodontas Community Council President.

The Pyrgos Community Council, proud to be part of this international race, emphasizes the importance of hosting such an event. "We are delighted to host all these great athletes in our community. It is very important for our community to be part of such a race. Athletes and spectators will have the opportunity to explore the green area of Pyrgos, and the beautiful route through the pines will also pass through Stavrovouni, which falls within our community," says Mrs. Stavroula Vasileiou, Pyrgos Community Council President.

The race is organized by Activate Cyprus in collaboration with the Cyprus Cycling Federation, under the auspices of the Cyprus Sports Organization. The Ministry of Tourism is the main sponsor, with additional sponsorship from OPAP Cyprus, Skoda, UNICARS, and SIXT. RIK is the media sponsor.

The event is conducted with the support and hospitality of the communities of Lythrodontas, Kornos, and Pyrgos. Additional support comes from Atlantic Insurance, Shimano, ETAP Larnaca, OPT Cycling, and Cyclo Shop.

TOCHNI BIKE CENTER: A NEW CYCLING HOTSPOT IN CYPRUS

Activate Cyprus proudly announces the complete upgrade of its Bike Center in Tochni, establishing it as the premier destination for cyclists in Cyprus. This central Bike Center, complementing the Mountainbike Center at Troodos Square in Troodos Hotel and marks Activate Cyprus as the island's pioneering company in sports tourism, bike tours, and major international events.

Strategically located in Tochni, at the heart of Cyprus, the Bike Center caters to cyclists from all over the world and is a central location for local cyclists from Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca, as well as those exploring the mountainous regions of Larnaca. The company welcomed the new year with a small celebration at the upgraded Bike Center, hosting prominent athletes such as Antri Christoforou, a Rio and Tokyo Olympics representative and a member of the Cyprus Olympic Team for Paris.

The venue proudly displays signed World Champion jerseys from mountain biking legends like Jaroslav Kulhavy, Jolanda Neff, Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja, Thomas Frischknecht, Anna van der Breggen, and more. This not only enhances the cycling culture but also pays homage to the sport's global icons.

The upgraded Bike Center in Tochni transforms the area into a sports tourism hotspot. Cyclists can avail themselves of services before, during, or after a cycling tour, with rental bikes also available. The center's influence extends to the cycling culture of the region, attracting both young and seasoned bikers exploring the picturesque surroundings.

Mike Hadjioannou, Director of Activate Cyprus, expressed his enthusiasm about the completed upgrade, emphasizing its significance: "With the upgrade of the Tochni Bike Center, we are coming closer to all cyclists, no matter their level or age, as the venue will be a general meeting and service point for all Cypriot and foreign cyclists visiting our island."

Tochni's strategic location, midway between Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca, ensures accessibility for cyclists. Mr. Hadjioannou highlighted the positive impact on the area: "Tochni and the nearby villages will benefit from the upgraded Bike Center as a large number of cyclists will be visiting the area."

Activate Cyprus, known for organizing major cycling events like Cyprus Sunshine Epic, SKODA Cyprus Gran Fondo, and Troodos Sports & Fun Festival, along with triathlon races O3 Olympus Man and Oceal Lana Paphos, continues to be a driving force in promoting sports tourism in Cyprus.

For more information, visit www.activatecyprus.com and www.facebook.com/ActivateCyprus,

CYPRUS GRAVEL ESCAPES #3 - FROM APOSTOLOS ANDREAS TO NICOSIA

What a better way to spend a long day on gravel bike exploring Cyprus, especially if this happens in places you have never riden before! It sounds really strange but i have never biked before in the Northeast part of the island in Karpasia peninsula either on a road bike, a mountainbike or a gravel bike! The area near Apostolos Andreas Monastery is the most eastern edge of Cyprus.

The idea for this gravel bike adventure which would start from that part of the island was in my plans for some years now! The 6th of January was the day due to the holiday of the Epiphany day!

So after a few phone calls, it was a very easy decision! With a group of 4, Kostis and Nikolas and the best bike-tours supporter Ioanna, we met at at 5:15am at Ratio cycling cafe in Nicosia. After a strong early morning coffee, we started driving to our starting point which was 2:30h away. The scenery along the way and the sunrise kept us busy taking photos, videos and of course gossiping for all things about bikes! Nikolas was telling us how impressed he was with the “battles” of the Cyclo cross titans, Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and of course Tom Pidcock! Indeed their consecutive races during Christmas and New year holidays were very spectacular.

At around 8:30am we arrived at Hasan’s place, we got our staff and our selves ready and of course we had another coffee offered by Hasan! Now we are ready for our long trip back to Nicosia! it was a plan for 160 to 190km with more than 50% on gravel roads of which most of them where unknown to me by that time.

The first pedal strokes were on an idyllic place of Cyprus, the Golden beach. In the area there are many beaches with golden sand and crystal clear sea water which not much people know or visit due to the fact that there are no tourist services in the area! We crossed over the only tarmac road of the area and continued on gravel roads through green fields and the winter sun was keeping us happy and warm in this - not so cold - day of January. The stops for photos and some drone shots were the reason for having a very low avg speed so we decided to ride a bit faster if we didn’t want to reach home after midnight! But the area was amazingly beautiful and we couldn’t resist to make as many photos as possible.

After some short section on tarmac we got off again to gravel road that led us to Gold beach next to Rizokarpaso! Despite the fact that satellite photos on Komoot showed some gravel roads, there were none! So we had to push our bikes for about 45mins in the deep golden sand next to the Mediterranean sea! Not bad at all!

As soon as we managed to escape the sandy beaches we covered some more kilometers on tarmac before we start climbing up to Kantara castle! Amazing scenery, wide gravel roads and beautiful landscape all over the place.

At the top i was feeling already tired but i needed to be brave and keep going…we had long way to go and short time of daylight! The section from kantara to Nicosia i believe was the most amazing part of the route! Riding for long stretches  about 500 to 600 meters of altitude it was the best way to enjoy the views to coastline and the Mediterranean sea to the north of Pendadaktylos mountain range and the Mesaoria plain on the southern side of the mountain. Spectacular views even along a recently burnt area of these mountains.

Our timing to arrive on tarmac just before sunset worked fine, so we starter the last long part to Nicosia on main roads. At that point i really felt exhausted and hungry, but a short carbo-loading stop at a petrol station things got back into control again! Soon we were going around in the heart of the old city of Nicosia.     A total contrast of what was the ride for the whole day. The narrow roads of the old city are full of small bars and tavernas packed with people which are enjoying a drink and eating meze with the sounds of Greek rock music! We were jealous and we would loved to stop for a drink and a warm plate of food, but with the exhaustion of the day our only option was to ride home for a shower and dinner!

Another nice day on gravel roads was in the books and already planning the next one! Will you join us?

Mike Hadjioannou